Sex differences in murine susceptibility to systemic viral infections

► We observed substantial sex differences in survival following viral infections ► The differences were particularly striking with herpes simplex virus 1, HSV-1. ► Sex differences were independent of androgens and only partially attributable to estrogens. ► Enhanced male survival was mediated by sex differences in signaling through IFNabR and DAP12. ► This provides a robust model of sex-specific differences in innate immune responses.